Appliance for regulating teeth.



D. S. BACON.

APPLIANCE EOE REGULATING TEETH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1914.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

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UNITE STATES PATENT FFTQE.

DEXTER S. BACON, 0F MINNEAPOLIS, IVIINNESOTA.

APPLIANCE. F013. REGULATING TEETH.

Application filed June 1914.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DEXTER S. Bacon, of Minneapolis, Hennepin county, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Appliances for Regulating Teeth, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in appliances to be applied to irregular teeth for the purpose of regulating the same, and the object of the invention is to provide a removable device which is firmly retained in its proper position, especially in cases where partially erupted or temporary teeth are to be handled, and at the same time producing a device much less bulky and more sanitary than those usually employed for this purpose.

The invention consists generally in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan view showing my improved device in position upon a set of teeth. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through a portion of a gum, showing the position of a tooth therein. and showing in section my improved device as it is when in use. Fig. 3 is an underside view of a portion of the device. Fig. l is a transverse section of the device shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale showing the device in position.

In the drawings the device is shown applied to three teeth upon each side of the jaw. A tension member preferably in the form of an arched spring, is arranged between the side members of the device. This arched spring member can be given any desired tension and the tension can be increased each time the device is removed and applied. By this means the teeth may be spread apart so as to bring them into the desired position in the jaw. I preferably construct the regulator of 'a sheet metal plate 2, the edge of which is made thin and sharp, as shown clearly in Fig. 5 of the :drawings. This plate is preferably bent or curved so as to cause it to conform to the interior surface of the teeth. The plate projects toward the roots of the teeth so that its free edge may extend below the free margin of the gum at the inner side of the teeth and bear against the teeth below the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 846,478.

bulge thereof. This plate is inserted in a bar 3, preferably by casting the bar around the plate. This bar extends lengthwise of the jaw, when the device is in place, and preferably extends a suflicient distance to cover three teeth. In making the device I preferably form the plate 2 of German silver or other suitable material. I give it the required curve or scallop to make it conform to the contour of the teeth, and to make it fit under, or partially under, the bulge of the teeth. The plate presses back the free margin of the gum a sufiicient distance to cause the sharp edge of the plate to come under the bulge of the tooth even when the tooth is only partially erupted. The bar 3 is preferably made light and strong and the greater portion of the plate 9. being embedded therein, the whole forms a very firm appliance through which pressure may be applied to the teeth just below the bulge thereof, as indicated clearly in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The rear ends of the bars 3 are joined by the arched spring member 1, connected thereto, and this spring member extends forward generally parallel to the line of the teeth. This member is provided at its forward end with spring loops 5, 5, which are adapted to engage the inner surface of the front teeth and to apply pressure to the same. A series of loops 7 are connected to the bar 3 in position to encircle the teeth to which they are applied, while the regulating plate engages under the bulge of the tooth at a point below the free edge of the gum. A spring loop 9 is also preferably connected to the forward loop 7 and extends around outside of the forward teeth.

Fig. 5 of the drawings shows clearly the subgingival extension of the plate under the free margin of the gum to such an extent as may be necessary to cause the plate to engage under the bulge and near the neck of the tooth. The thin plates 2 are bent to follow the teeth closely, but not to come in exact contact therewith, except at their extreme edge. This is very important as by having the thin edge of the plate come in contact with the teeth below the bulge, and below the free edge of the gum, there is no difficulty in holding the appliance in place. In using the device the arched spring member will be bent as closely as possible to give the pressure desired. The device can then be put in place where the engagement of the sharp edges of the plate 2 under the bulge of the teeth will cause the same to be held further extent if desired, so that when the device is replaced in the mouth of the wearer it will exert the desired pressure upon the teeth. I p

Where the teeth are only partially erupted, the sharp edge of the plate can be made to pass under the free edge of the gum and engage the neck of the teeth below the bulge. This will hold the device firmly in place. 4

The details of the construction may be varied in many particulars without departing from my invention.

I claim as my invention:' I

1. A device for regulating teeth, comprising in combination a pair of oppositely arranged thin plates, shaped to conform to the inner surfaces of the teeth, but contacting therewith only at their edges, anchor bars in which the rear portions of said plates are embedded, and an arched spring member connecting said anchor bars, substantially as described.

2. A device for regulating teeth, compris ing in combination, a pair of oppositely arranged plateshaving sharp edges shaped to conform to the inner surfaces of the teeth, and contacting therewith only at the bulge Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of rater/cs,

of the teeth below the free edge of the gum, anchor bars in which said plates are partially embedded, and a resilient member connecting said anchor bars, substantially as described.

, 3. A device for regulating teeth, comprisnecting said anchor bar's,substantially as described. I

7 4:. A device for regulating teeth, comprising in combination, 'a pair of'opposit'ely arranged downwardly and outwardly inclined plates disposed to bear against oppositely 71 positioned teeth and having sharp edges shaped to conform to the inner surfaces of the teeth and contact therewith only below the bulge of the teeth below the free edge of the gum, and a resilient spreading member if connected with said plates to spread'the plates apart from each other, substantially as described. i

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th'day of June, 191 i.

Witnesses 7 EDWARD A. PAUL, GENEVIEVE E. SoRENsEN.

Washington, D. G. I

'DEXTER S BACON it 

